Buddy Struckman faces a difficult task, defending himself against charges he illegally possessed a fully automatic gun and silencer.

The prosecution's evidence appears to be substantial. The MAC-10, which resembles an Uzi, was found inside the Lockland home police say he lived in, apparently alone. Without proper federal paperwork, the gun is illegal, prosecutors said.

The gun and silencer – described as likely being homemade – were found inside a locked safe, along with several high-capacity magazines. Police also found .45-caliber ammunition throughout the home.

Struckman, 38, who says he has a bachelor's degree in information security systems, has chosen to represent himself.

The trial began Monday in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court with jury selection. If convicted of state charges of illegally possessing "dangerous ordnance," Struckman could be sentenced to 14 years in prison.

Struckman does not have formal legal training. In a financial affidavit, he lists himself as unemployed with no assets. He says he has $90,000 in student loan debt.

When the visiting judge handling the case, Guy Guckenberger, questioned Struckman in advance of jury selection, he wasn’t able to define legal concepts such as “hearsay.”

Guckenberger has allowed the most recent attorney appointed in the case, Craig Newburger, to serve in an advisory capacity. Newburger is present in the courtroom to answer Struckman’s questions.

The two didn’t agree about trial strategy, according to Struckman, which is why he decided to represent himself.

The charges date back to April 20, 2015.

The MAC-10 “machine pistol,” silencer and more than 600 rounds of ammunition were found inside the home at 622 Maple St., where Struckman barricaded himself that day. A MAC-10 can fire 1,100 rounds per minute, according to testimony.

Police initially went to the home after a report of shots fired in the area. Struckman refused to come out. Officers became concerned when they noticed surveillance cameras “all around” the house, according to testimony.

A Hamilton County SWAT team was called and a standoff ensued.

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At left, house at 622 Maple St. in Lockland. Police say Buddy Struckman barricaded himself inside on April 20, 2015.(Photo: Enquirer file)

Struckman eventually was arrested and charged with numerous offenses. At a trial last year in Municipal Court, he was acquitted of charges related to marijuana and a bong found in the home. Struckman also represented himself in that trial. Prosecutors dropped misdemeanor charges related to the gunshots.

In opening statements Tuesday, Struckman said the Maple Street house was abandoned by its owner. He said he wasn’t responsible for “anything inside the owner’s property.”

He accused prosecutors of fabricating evidence.

“The state abused its power by charging an innocent man, by placing the blame on the one nearest at reach – that being me," he said.

A former Lockland police officer who spent more than a day on the witness stand answering Struckman’s questions said he always knew it to be Struckman’s home.

The officer, Drew Jones, kept referring to it as “your house.” He said he'd been there 10 to 15 times.

As Struckman questioned Jones about a crime scene photograph, Jones pointed to a black sports jacket and light grey pants in the photo and said they appeared to resemble clothing Struckman was wearing in court.

The Maple Street house is a two-family, according to testimony. Jones described the first floor as “demolished and unlivable.” The third floor appeared to have been used as a chicken coop.

“I remember you contacting us about chickens,” Jones told Struckman, at one point.

Struckman said he never bought or owned a gun like the MAC-10.

He accused prosecutors of refusing to investigate and identify the gun’s real owner. He said the gun was kept in a locked safe, for which he didn’t have a key. He said investigators never questioned the owner of the house about the gun.

“I never knew this property was there,” he said.

Struckman also is suing Jones, Jones' onetime supervisor as well as the village of Lockland in federal court. He alleges he was falsely arrested and that police violated his due process rights.